High Input Prices Research Articles

The Value Chain Analysis of Coffee Products in the Case of Bandung District

Coffee, a significant plantation product, holds vast opportunities in both domestic and global markets. Bandung Regency is renowned for its distinctive fruit-flavored coffee, particularly from Ciwidey and Puntang, where coffee is marketed in cherry and green bean forms without branding. A value chain analysis is essential to enhance the coffee industry's added value and sustainability. This study aims to identify the coffee value chain in Bandung Regency, analyze the cost of production, total revenue, and profit of the coffee processing industry in Ciwidey and Puntang, and determine the added value of coffee products in these areas. Using descriptive analysis, results indicate that Ciwidey (MS Coffee) has a lower cost of goods produced than Puntang (Acs Siliwangi) due to higher production volumes in Puntang leading to higher costs. However, Puntang’s larger production volume also generates higher monthly revenue and profit due to a higher selling price per kilogram. Value-added analysis reveals that Puntang’s value-added per kilogram (Rp. 55,025.00/kg) surpasses that of Ciwidey (Rp. 44,647.00/kg), attributed to higher selling prices, superior product quality, and greater market presence in Puntang. Conversely, higher input prices in Ciwidey result in lower value-added.

Cropping systems and production assessment in southern Myanmar: Informing strategic interventions

Abstract Cropland expansion into natural forests in the Kyunsu Township, southern Myanmar, has diminished the sustainability of natural resources in this area. Analyzing local cropping systems can help explore options for improving land productivity on the existing croplands. To achieve this, a study was conducted between June 2020 and June 2021, involving 301 farmers’ households within the township. The study focused on socioeconomic status, crop production characteristics, key soil properties, and production constraints. Hierarchical clustering on principal components was applied to identify the existing cropping systems. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of variables between identified cropping systems was performed. The findings revealed that in the plantation zone, the median gross value added (GVA) reached US$ 1,276 ha−1 year−1 for perennial monocropping and US$ 1,715 ha−1 year−1 for perennial-multiple cropping. These values were higher than the median GVAs of perennial monocropping (US$ 460 ha−1 year−1) and perennial-multiple cropping (US$ 474 ha−1 year−1) in the sea zone. In the lowland and sea zones, annual monocropping of rice had low median GVAs of 206 and US$ 165 ha−1 year−1, respectively. The combination of rice and perennial species in the lowland zone resulted in a higher median GVA (US$ 383 ha−1 year−1) compared to rice sole cropping in both the lowland and sea zones. Coupled with favorable soil properties, cropping systems that integrated perennial species, particularly multiple cropping with strategic input use, demonstrated enhanced land productivity. However, to optimize land productivity in these cropping systems, it is crucial to address major constraints, such as high input prices, poor soil quality, and scarcity of freshwater.

ANALYZING THE CAUSES OF WATER SHORTAGE, LOW CROP YIELD, AND FOOD CRISIS IN PAKISTAN: A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS (1991-2019)

Pakistan has been facing problem of low crop yield, food shortage, and high prices of food items, and it has to import food items for billions of dollars every year to meet domestic needs. The literature shows a sufficient gap to investigate the causes of low crop yield. This motivates the authors to investigate the causes of water shortage, low crop yields, and high prices of agriculture inputs, using 28 years of data spanning from 1991 to 2019. The selected variables include crop yield as the dependent variable and water availability, precipitation, seed, fertilizer, and pesticides as independent variables. Various statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, Correlation matrix, ADF test, ARDL Model, Bound test, and Error Correction model were employed to determine the relationship between variables. The findings reveal that all independent variables except precipitation have a positive association with crop yield. The comparison of the results of ARDL and ECM Models shows that the variables water, seed, fertilizer, and pesticides have a significant and positive relationship with crop yield in the short run rather than in the long run. In light of these findings, the study suggests that the Government of Pakistan should build water storage, ensure the availability of agriculture inputs at subsided prices, and introduce modern agriculture technologies to enhance crop yield to ensure food security and save billions of dollars being spent on the import of food items every year.

Constraints in Farmers’ Purchase Decisions of Agricultural Inputs in High Hills Temperate Wet Zone of Himachal Pradesh

"The study was conducted in the high hill temperate wet zone of Himachal Pradesh to investigate the information sources used and the constraints in farmers’ purchase of agricultural inputs. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 448 households in the study area. Multiple response analyses and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance were used for the study. The findings of the study revealed that timely non-availability of inputs in government stores, followed by the limited supply of inputs in government stores, high input prices, non-availability of the preferred package of inputs in markets, and fear of adulteration were the significant constraints experienced by the farmers in purchase of agricultural inputs. However, fellow/progressive farmers and private input dealers were the most commonly used source of information for purchased agricultural inputs. The results suggested that an increase in government funding for the development of input delivery systems can positively impact public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting better agricultural input u"

Lilitations and potentials of the school food program in the three municipalities in West Paraná

This article aims to analyze the potentialities and limitations identified in relation to the purchase of foodstuffs from family farming for school meals by the subjects involved in school meals in three municipalities in Western Paraná, through a multiple case study, using in-depth interviews individual and carrying out a collective focus group with 42 subjects (family farmers and nutritionists) during the years 2022 and 2023, gathering the results in a SWOT matrix. As results, it is evident that the potential internal and external factors, for the subjects, are related to union, diversity of production, appreciation of family farming, more natural quality foods, contribution to the health of schoolchildren, quality of life, encouragement of sustainability, income diversity, job creation and property innovation. As internal and external limitations, the lack of ATER and farmers' cooperation and adaptation, cost of adapting legislation and bureaucracy, climatic conditions, pests, difficulties in irrigation, high input prices, lack of labor and rural exodus.

A Study on Supply Chain Analysis and Marketing Margin of Catfish Seed in Mymensingh District, Bangladesh

Aims: This study examined the supply chain and marketing margin of catfish seed in selected areas of the Mymensingh district. The objectives include analyzing supply chain management, marketing margins of catfish seed production, and identifying the challenges in production and marketing systems. Study Design: This study used a quantitative approach with a questionnaire data collection method. Place and Duration of Study: Samples were taken from four upazilas of Mymensingh district- Gouripur, Trishal, Mymensingh Sadar, and Muktagacha. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews between mid-September and mid-October in 2019. Methodology: The sample size was 120 including 30 catfish seed farmers, 30 paikers, 30 wholesalers, and 30 retailers. This study employed supply chain analysis, net return and net marketing margin analysis, and descriptive statistics. Results: The study found that retailers had the highest net marketing margin of 1664 Bangladeshi Taka (Tk.) (15.21 US Dollars) for 10 kg spawn, while paikers earned the highest margin of Tk. 11148 (101.93 US Dollars) for 100,000 pieces of fingerling. The annual net return per acre from spawn production in hatcheries was Tk. 9,469,097 (86580.71 US Dollars), and from fingerling production in nurseries was Tk. 455,783 (4167.45 US Dollars). Conclusion: The research indicated that catfish seed farms with hatcheries were more profitable than those with nurseries. Hatchery owners, nursery owners, and traders faced significant problems in their operations, such as a lack of information on quality seed, higher input prices and price fluctuations, non-availability of various inputs, and poor communication systems. Based on the result, recommendations were made to support the development of catfish seed farms and traders as a promising sector in agribusiness.

Effect of Biostimulant, Manure Stabilizer, and Manure on Soil Physical Properties and Vegetation Status.

Food production sustainability is one of contemporary agriculture's fundamental challenges. Farmers are currently facing high input prices in crop production and declining organic matter in the soil. For this reason, a field experiment was established to assess the effect of the biostimulant NeOsol (NS), the manure stabilizer Z'fix (ZF), farmyard manure (FM), and their combination in farm practice. In situ measurements provided information on the change in bulk density (BD), unit draft (UD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC), and cone index (CI). Furthermore, the vegetation status was investigated via vegetation indices, and the yield and quality parameters were assessed. Management of the experimental field resulted in an overall decrease in BD over time for the treated variants compared to the control (CL). The decrease with time was also verified in the case of UD and CI at the depth zone of 10-20 cm. Variants FM (by 8.0%), FM_NS (by 7.3%), and FM_ZF_NS (by 3.8%) proved to have lower UD values than CL. An overall increase in SHC and in yield was observed over time. Concerning SHC, only FM (by 58.5%) proved different from CL. The yield of all the treated variants, i.e., NS (by 8.2%), FM (by 10.8%), FM_NS (by 14.1%), FM_ZF (by 17.8%), and FM_ZF_NS (by 20.1%), surpassed CL. Simultaneously, none of the examined treatments proved to have any adverse effect either on soil or on plant-related variables.

Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga Petani Di Lahan Sawah Tadah Hujan (Studi Kasus Di Desa Sendangagung, Giriwoyo, Wonogiri)

<p><em>Various problems in the agricultural sector include land conversion, climate change, water shortages, high input prices, and declining agricultural land productivity. Reduced production will affect farmers' income, which will impact the food security of farming households. The research aims to determine the proportion of food expenditure to total expenditure and assess the food security of farming households. The research location was chosen purposively, namely in Giriwoyo District, where most of the agricultural land is rain-fed. The sampling method used simple random sampling with a total of 30 farming households as respondents. Analysis of farmer household food security using cross-classification of food expenditure shares and energy adequacy levels. Energy and protein consumption levels were calculated using the 24-hour recall method. The research results explain that the average proportion of food expenditure to the total expenditure of farmer households is 55.61%, which shows that the level of farmer welfare is quite high. The food security conditions of rice farming households are based on levels, namely food security at 80%, food insecurity at 16.67%, and 3.30% of farming households are declared food deficient. To maintain or increase the food security of farming households, local food diversification is needed so that farming households do not only depend on rice as a source of carbohydrates. Counseling needs to be carried out to increase knowledge regarding the consumption of nutritious, diverse, balanced, and safe food.</em></p>

Food Security Analysis of Farmer Households in Subwatershed Keduang, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

Food security is the individual ability to access sufficient food physically and economically, safe, and nutritious. Limited fulfillment of food in farmer households is determined by restricted physical access, economical, and another social factor. The geographical conditions of Wonogiri Regency which is dominated by dry land, climate change, and high input prices for agricultural production facilities certainly affect the food security of farmer households. This study aims to determine the proportion of food expenditure; analyze the energy consumption level; and analyze the degree of farmers household’s food security in the subwatershed Keduang, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java. This research was conducted in Sidoharjo, Jatipurno, and Jatisrono sub-district with a purposive sampling method. Data analysis was performed using the farmer household’s income and expenditure method, energy and protein consumption, and cross indicators between the food expenditure and energy consumption adequacy. The results show that the farmer households food expenditure was IDR 1 571 956 or 61.11 % from the share of total expenditure; energy consumption level of 80.34 % is moderate; the degree of household food security of farmer households shows that 44.44 % are food resistance, 3.33 % are food vulnerable, and 52.22 % are lack of food.

Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Rice Farmers under Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh

The study investigated the Technical efficiency (TE) of rice farmers under Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) from a sample size of 40 farmers. The results from DEA and SFA revealed that the mean TE of rice farmers was 98.7 per cent and 86 per cent respectively. The mean TE from DEA is indicating that they can reduce their input by 1.3 per cent to produce the same level of output and SFA revealed that the coefficients of seed (0.7543), urea (0.877), MOP (0.979) and machine hours (0.877) were positive and highly significant, implying that these inputs are productive enough whereas DAP (0.877), PPC (0.765) and human labour (0.988) were positive but non-significant implying that they are comparatively less productive. From the results of DEA and SFA, the mean efficiency of rice farmers through DEA (0.98) was more than SFA (0.86). The results from Garrett ranking revealed that price versatility, high input prices, lack of proper labour supply, lack of adequate capital and storage facilities etc., are the major constraints faced by rice farmers under FPO in Guntur district and they need to be strengthened.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Yellow Meal Worm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor) on Performance of Broiler Chicken

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) can sustainably increase productivity, improve resilience, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from agricultural systems. The current study aimed to establish the existing knowledge, attitude, and practice of CSA among smallholder farmers in the Isingiro District. An exploratory survey was conducted to collect data from 126 farmers randomly selected from three Sub counties. Key informant interviews were conducted with three extension workers for more information. Data was analysed using Stata 14 to generate summary tables and the Chi-square test of independence. The results revealed a high level of knowledge about CSA among the farmers, with intercropping and crop rotation as the most popular (99%) whereas rainwater harvesting was least known (71.4%). Farmers’ knowledge about CSA was significantly related to different sources of information and knowledge (P<0.05). Farmers showed a positive attitude towards the use of CSA practices except for inorganic fertilisers with 45%. The dominantly used CSA practices were Intercropping (85.7%), mulching (75.4%) and the use of contour bunds (74.6%). Several limitations that hindered the adoption of CSA practices included limited finances, extension services, availability of CSA inputs, high prices of CSA inputs, price fluctuations and land scarcity, among others. The farmers’ awareness, attitude and practice of CSA were mainly shaped by their local knowledge with limited influence of technical knowledge. Furthermore, the practice of CSA among smallholder farmers is hampered by many limitations. Therefore, there is a need for policymakers to prioritise and enact pro-CSA-relevant policies that address the barriers hampering its adoption

Knowledge, Attitude and the Practice of Climate-Smart Agriculture among Smallholder Farmers in Isingiro District, South Western Uganda

Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) can sustainably increase productivity, improve resilience, and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from agricultural systems. The current study aimed to establish the existing knowledge, attitude, and practice of CSA among smallholder farmers in the Isingiro District. An exploratory survey was conducted to collect data from 126 farmers randomly selected from three Sub counties. Key informant interviews were conducted with three extension workers for more information. Data was analysed using Stata 14 to generate summary tables and the Chi-square test of independence. The results revealed a high level of knowledge about CSA among the farmers, with intercropping and crop rotation as the most popular (99%) whereas rainwater harvesting was least known (71.4%). Farmers’ knowledge about CSA was significantly related to different sources of information and knowledge (P<0.05). Farmers showed a positive attitude towards the use of CSA practices except for inorganic fertilisers with 45%. The dominantly used CSA practices were Intercropping (85.7%), mulching (75.4%) and the use of contour bunds (74.6%). Several limitations that hindered the adoption of CSA practices included limited finances, extension services, availability of CSA inputs, high prices of CSA inputs, price fluctuations and land scarcity, among others. The farmers’ awareness, attitude and practice of CSA were mainly shaped by their local knowledge with limited influence of technical knowledge. Furthermore, the practice of CSA among smallholder farmers is hampered by many limitations. Therefore, there is a need for policymakers to prioritise and enact pro-CSA-relevant policies that address the barriers hampering its adoption

The Economics of Manufacturing the most important Horticultural Crops in Egypt

The study mainly aims at estimating the economic effects of manufacturing the most important horticultural crops in Egypt, through estimating the added value of the food processing process for green okra and orange crops, in addition to developing a future vision for the possibility of advancing the food industry sector through the establishment of some agricultural manufacturing projects that contribute to Economic and social development in Egypt. The results showed that the value of the total loss of green okra and orange crops amounted to about 2909 million pounds in 2021, and it was found that the value added from the process of manufacturing frozen okra and orange crops is estimated at 12450 and 11338 pounds / ton, respectively, while the value of the total margin is estimated for mediators The distribution of frozen okra and orange drink is about 4,250 and 5,750 pounds/ton, respectively. Egypt is represented by the obsolescence of the technologies used in the production process and the high cost of production as a result of the high prices of production inputs, in addition to the high transportation costs. Therefore, the study recommends the necessity of promoting the economic and technical efficiency of agricultural industrialization, especially in the Egyptian countryside, and modernizing machines and equipment for agricultural industrial activities and projects through soft loans to their owners, modernizing and developing them, because of this’s impact on improving the quality and quality of the product, reducing waste and reducing production costs.

Prospects and Constraints of Onion Production and Marketing: A Case Study of District Tando Allahyar, Sindh-Pakistan

This study aimed to identify the existing onion production practices and constraints at smallholder farms and profitability of onion in the Tando Allahyar district of Sindh during the year 2018-19. The primary data were collected from 24 randomly chosen onion-producing farmers in village Ibrahim Shah using a pre-tested systematic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate percentages, frequency, and mean, while the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) method was used to determine onion growers' profitability. Results of the study revealed that the overall average total cost and gross revenue of onion production were (Rs. 115120/acre, Rs. 154875/acre) respectively. The benefit-cost ratio was found to be 1.52 for (variable costs) and 1.35 for (total cost), indicating that onion cultivation benefits farmers in the Tando Allahyar district. The most common and local onion variety grown was Nasarpuri, which was cultivated by 87 % of farmers, along with Hazari and Phulkara. However, the farmers were reluctant to use hybrid seeds due to their inability to withstand high temperatures. The main production constraints for onion growers were high input prices, particularly seed costs, and high labour charges for hoeing and weeding. Similarly, low product prices and high transportation costs were major marketing constraints. Due to a lack of technical expertise with current technology, such as a shortage of cold storage and skilled labor, the marketing of excess produce throughout the year was a significant problem for onion growers. It is therefore suggested that a comprehensive marketing capacity building and Global GAP will improve the quality, productivity and profitability of the farmers and open the channel of export for Pakistan.

Profitability analysis of paddy production in different seasons in Bangladesh: Insights from the Haor

This study aimed to investigate the cost-benefit per hectare of rice production in the haor region in Bangladesh. For doing so, the multi-stage sampling technique was used to collect cross-sectional data during 2018 from four haor districts producing rice in Bangladesh. To achieve the purpose, a total of 368 randomly selected farming households from Habiganj, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, and Sylhet districts were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done utilizing descriptive statistics and cost and return analysis. The result revealed that labor costs constituted the largest proportion of gross operating expenses, followed by fertilizer, irrigation, tillage, insecticides and herbicides, and threshing cost. The cost-benefit analysis finding also shows that rice is a profitable enterprise in the haor areas as the lower production cost compared to return. Because of the amount of input used and the price of output, the profitability differs between different seasons, however. The model shows that cost of seed, human labor cost, cost of TSP, cost of MoP, and cost of irrigation were the key factors that influenced rice production. This study also identified some of the problems related to rice production in haor areas. Lower output price, higher input price, unavailability of short growth duration high yielding varieties, and embankment damages, etc., are key obstacles to rice production. Therefore, this study provides the government's concerned authority with appropriate suggestions and policy recommendations to solve the farmers' issues that could boost rice productivity in the haor areas and contribute to food security and self-sufficiency in rice cultivation.

LIVELIHOOD STATUS OF RICE CONTRACT FARMERS IN BENUE STATE OF NIGERIA

The inability of farmers to access inputs at the right time coupled with high exorbitant prices of farm inputs and incentives has created good atmosphere for the sustainability of contract farming in Nigeria. This study analysed Livelihood Status of Rice Contract Farmers in Benue State of Nigeria. Sample sizes of 137 rice farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as (frequency, percentages and mean), livelihood status index and factor analysis. The findings revealed that 83.9% of contract rice farmers were male with mean age of 45 years. The mean size of farm land under contract farming and farming experience were 1.3 hectares and 25.5 years respectively. The most perceived benefits accruable from contract farming were contract farming help farmers in diversification of agricultural enterprise ( =4.92) and also improved farmers well-being/livelihood status ( =4.88). Further findings showed that majority of the respondents 79.6% had highly improved livelihood status. The major constraints faced by rice farmers were unforeseen future problem (0.9141), breach of contract by the farmers (0.9038) and delay in payment by the contracting firms (0.9030). It is recommended that more lands should be allocated for contract farming in the study area. Also, contracting firms should speed up the delivery of inputs to rice farmers.

Disorders Faced, Strategies of Survival, and Characteristics of MSME Entrepreneurs in the Fisheries Sector in the Era of Uncertainty

Micro, small and medium enterprises are the backbone of the economy in all countries, including Indonesia. Various disturbances that occur, especially in the era of uncertainty, have selected MSMEs. MSMEs that continue to exist show that these MSMEs have high resilience. This study aims to explore the disturbances faced and the survival strategy of MSMEs in the fisheries sector of Takalar Regency in an era of uncertainty. The research was conducted from August to October 2021. MSMEs in the fisheries sector in Takalar Regency are the object of research because this sector has experienced many disturbances but still exists and is one of the main contributors to the GRDP of Takalar Regency. The research method uses descriptive analysis and focuses on group discussion. Descriptive analysis data were obtained from in-depth surveys and interviews of 100 MSME entrepreneurs in the fisheries sector of Takalar Regency, and data for focus group discussion analysis were obtained from 10 msME experts in the fisheries sector. The results showed that internal factors of MSMEs and external factors caused supply disruptions and price stability in MSMEs in the fisheries sector of Takalar Regency. Internal factors of MSMEs are the quality and quantity of human resources, lack of technology, limited MSME finances, and low quality of the products produced. External factors are environmental damage, the phenomenon of climate change, water pollution, overfishing, high input prices, and fuel scarcity. MSMEs have tried to solve the causes of disruption in new ways and methods. The conclusion of this study is the disruption that occurs in MSMEs in the fisheries sector, namely, supply disruptions and price stability faced by MSMEs with innovative strategies.

Marketing Channels of Herbal Products and a New Marketing Model Proposal; a case study of Iğdır Province

Türkiye tarımında yaşanan önemli sorunlardan biri ürünlerin pazarlanmasıyla ilgilidir. Bu nedenle, mevcut durum analizine dayalı uygulanabilir önerilerin geliştirilmesi sürdürülebilir bir pazarlama siteminin kurulabilmesi için önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı mikro klima özelliğinden dolayı oldukça yüksek bitkisel üretim potansiyeline sahip olan Iğdır ilinde bitkisel üretim yapan çiftçilerin ürün gruplarına göre üretim ve pazarlama yapısını tespit ederek bu alanda yaşanılan sorunlara çözüm önerileri getirmektir. Basit Tesadüfi Örnekleme Yığın Oran Tahmini Yöntemi kullanılarak belirlenen 237 çiftçi ile 2019 yılı üretim döneminde yapılan anket çalışmasından elde edilen veriler çalışmanın ana materyalini oluşturmaktadır. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre tarla ürünlerinden buğday ve arpa önemli oranda Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi (TMO) aracılığı ile silajlık mısır, dane mısır ve pamuk ise tüccar aracılığı ile pazarlanmaktadır. Domates, salatalık, kayısı ve elma gibi yaş meyve ve sebzelerin pazarlanması ise büyük ölçüde komisyoncu ve tüccar kanalıyla yapılmaktadır. Üretim ve pazarlama ile ilgili önemli sorunlar arasında; girdi fiyatlarının yüksek olması, yetiştirme tekniği noksanlığı, sulama suyu ve toptancı halinin yetersizliği ile pazarlama kooperatiflerinin bulunmaması gelmektedir. Çözüm önerileri olarak, uygun fiyata sulama suyu ve girdi temini ile yetiştirme teknikleri ve örgütlenme konusunda eğitimlerin verilerek kamu desteğinin sağlanması sayılabilir. Ayrıca yaş meyve ve sebzelerin daha kolay ve değer fiyattan pazarlanabilmesi için devlet kurumlarınca denetlenen, kooperatif ve toptancı hallerinin entegre olduğu bir model oluşturulabilir.

Capitalism, Subsistence Farming, and the (New) Peasantries from the Perspective of the French Neorural Movement

AbstractTo problematize the idea of peasant autonomy in old capitalist societies, this paper will explore the evolution of two phenomena in present‐day France: peasantry, commonly understood as relatively autonomous small family farms that rely on subsistence farming, and the neorural movement, that is, urban‐to‐rural migration that has a counter‐cultural connotation. While peasantry is believed to be disappearing, the neorural movement is charged with “deradicalization” because it distances itself from subsistence farming. The juxtaposition of both phenomena shows that capitalism has transformed the countryside, making it difficult to live from agriculture. In old capitalist countries, peasant autonomy is no longer about subsistence farming but about achieving an economic equilibrium that increases autonomy from market pressures created by high input prices and low output values.

An Investigation on Post-harvest Losses of Lemon Farmers in Moulvibazar District, Bangladesh: Aspects of Practices, Determinants, and Problems

Aims: Lemon is a popular citrus fruit in Bangladesh. Post-harvest management is very important to make lemon production profitable. The current study was carried out to measure the post-harvest practices of lemon farmers, to identify the determinants or factors influencing post-harvest losses of lemon at farm levels, and the associated problems of lemon farmers.
 Study Design: This article is about investigating the determinants or factors influencing post-harvest losses of lemon farmers and is placed on empirical analysis. It was also conducted to determine the practices and problems regarding post-harvest of lemon at the farm levels.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in purposively selected five intensivelemon growing villages of Sreemangal Upazila in the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh purposively selected as they signify the top lemon (e.g. local, bilati, and china varieties) producing areas of Moulvibazar district. The study period was the harvesting season of lemons from April to May 2019.
 Methodology: The relevant data were collected using structured questionnaires via face-to-face interviews with 160 lemon farmers that were selected using simple random sampling. The post-harvest practices of lemon farmers were measured by using descriptive statistics. The farm-level determinants of post-harvest losses of lemon in the survey areas were identified using a multiple linear regression model, and the Problem Faced Index (PFI) was generated to assess the severity of the particular problem of lemon farmers in the study areas.
 Results: From descriptive statistics results, it is found that farmers in the study area harvested their lemons under mature green conditions (67.6 percent) to reap the benefits of a longer life span, and 59.5 percent of them use the bamboo basket for packaging and transportation purposes. Lemon farmers were using manual vans (48.7 percent) and motor driving rickshaws (25.3 percent) to carry their products in the market. From the multiple linear regression model, it is shown that the key determinants of post-harvest losses in the study area were total production, labor, transportation, storage, distance, market place, and lemon farmers’ farming experience. Lack of storage facilities was the greatest severe problem for lemon farmers, after overproduction and supply of lemon in the peak season, lack of quality seed, high input prices, disease infection, insect infestation, and so on.
 Conclusion: Therefore, this study highlights developing suitable storage facilities, convenient transportation, scientific harvesting methods, and a fair price policy to reduce lemon post-harvest losses at the farm levels.